Sladek sent an email to residents with ways to prevent the respiratory illness, known as COVID-19, from spreading, addressing the fact that even though everyone has been asked to remain 6 feet away from each other in public, there are people who get the virus and are asymptomatic and never show symptoms.

COVID-19 is spread through droplets from sneezes and coughs and can be spread from person to person. Sladek said one way to prevent coronavirus infections is to think like everyone has the virus.

“There is an easy fix: WEAR A HOMEMADE FACE COVER at the grocery store and other high-touch, high-traffic places to stop your own droplets from accidentally getting on things that others will touch,” Sladek wrote. “With so little testing and some people experiencing almost no symptoms, the safest course of action is for us all to assume we are infected, showing no symptoms, and trying hard to keep others from getting sick from us. Begin NOW.”

Sladek said people should not use store-bought or factory-made masks because healthcare need those.

The mayor also shared a video on social media and instructions of how to make face covers.

Sladek stressed that wearing the masks won’t keep you from getting the coronavirus but will prevent the droplets from spreading onto items in the grocery story or in other high-touch areas.

About the Author:

Emilee is a digital journalist for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com, where she writes about space and Central Florida news. Previously, Emilee was a space writer and web editor for the Orlando Sentinel and a producer at the Naples Daily News.